Friday, December 21, 2012

Linking up with Lauren from From My Grey Desk today. Everyday this week has felt like Friday. It’s been pretty awesome actually.

We did Secret Santa this week in my office, so throughout the
week I was sneaking presents over to the person I had and having things
magically appear on my desk when I turned my back. It was so fun! It felt like
Christmas came early. The person who had me clearly knows I have a baking
obsession – here is my new mini muffin/cupcake pan with reusable silicone
liners.

This week, like this season is general, revolved around
eating. Snacked on these sweet and tangy jalapeno peppers. They are amazing atop
a cracker with cream cheese.

Wednesday we had our party for the high school small group I
lead. 10 teenage girls, cookie dough, Just Dance 3, Quelf (hilarious board game),
a jar of onion dip and a bag of potato chips. That pretty much sums up our
night.

My new rose gold watch from the Red Circle Boutique (aka
Target). Wore it yesterday with a fitted plaid button down under a dark grey
cashmere sweater. This this may be my Christmas outfit this year.

Lastly, the enormous Christmas tree in the student lobby of
my work. It is at least 11 feet tall and just gorgeous.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Last week I received my ornament from the Ornament Exchange over at Henning Love.

This is the first exchange I’ve participated in and I had so much fun! It was fun to get to know my swapping partner, Stephanie from Big Mario Life, and go shopping for that perfect ornament for her. You can see what I got her over at her blog today. Of course, the other fun part of doing an exchange is actually receiving a gift! Getting my ornament in the mail last week really made it feel like Christmas is here!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Monday, December 17, 2012

Like many, the tragedy in Connecticut has been weighing on my heart since the moment I first heard the news. I see the pictures and read the stories and am just physically consumed with pain for these families. The innocent children so senselessly taken from this world and the brave adults whose lives were spent teaching and helping children, also lost them trying protect them. Tomorrow, there will be a blogger day of silence. We will post the button below and nothing else.

Friday, December 14, 2012

I have a bad habit of taking on more than I can handle. If you can believe it, a few months ago I thought I would post every day in December. I was going to call it Daily December (creative, I know). But truth is there is just way too much fun stuff going on this month! Too many dinners with friends, too much baking Christmas goodies, hours spent enjoying a cozy fire, gallons of gas used driving around looking at lights, way too much being merry at holiday parties - and hardly any time preparing blog posts.

So here are a few mini updates for you....

Next week I am guest posting on Chelsea's Culinary Indulgence. She has a cute series set up, The 12 Days of Christmas Treats. The series started today with Spiced Eggnog Donuts (yum!) and will continue through Christmas day. Be sure to check it out to see all the fun treats that are planned. I will be posting on the 20th with a decadently rich, holiday chocolate treat.

Yesterday I got my ornament from the HenningLove Christmas Ornament Swap. I was so excited to get something in the mail I almost ripped it open right away. But then I remembered, I am a blogger. So I must first document with pictures. That post is coming next week, December 19th.

Also, next week I will be sharing some home-made gift ideas. Perfect for your palate and budget. Expect to see soup mixes in jars and sweet breads in snowflake ceramic baking dishes.